Water (Saigon Kick album)

Water is the third album of American rock band Saigon Kick, released on September 28, 1993 through Third Stone/Atlantic. It is the first Saigon Kick album to feature guitarist Jason Bieler on lead vocals, and bassist Chris McLernon. Drummer Phil Varone left the band in the same year.[1]

Water
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 28, 1993 (1993-09-28)
RecordedMay–July 1993
Studio
GenreHard rock
Length52:19
LabelThird Stone/Atlantic
ProducerJason Bieler
Saigon Kick chronology
The Lizard
(1992)
Water
(1993)
Devil in the Details
(1995)
Singles from Water
  1. "I Love You"
    Released: 1993
  2. "Space Oddity"
    Released: 1993

Release edit

As the follow-up album to The Lizard, Saigon Kick dropped from a four- to a three-piece, with guitarist Jason Bieler taking over the vocal chores from the departed Matt Kramer (they initially had a vocal styling of Alice in Chains arrangement, with Bieler singing many vocal parts and harmonies before this, so it did not sound drastically different with the exception of the fact Bieler was now singing lead vocals). Also at this time, bassist Tom DeFile left and was replaced by Chris McLernon. Musical differences’ got in the way of the third Saigon Kick album, so vocalist Kramer and bassist Defile departed. Leaving Bieler to take over on vocals, who wrote all the songs (except "Space Oddity" a cover of a David Bowie song) as well as produced.[2]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]

Billboard gave the single "I Love You" a mixed review, writing "only a crisp guitar solo midway through the song saves it from Hallmark oblivion."[4] While originally planned to be promoted to both Contemporary Hit Radio and Album Rock radio,[5] the record label pivoted and promoted the track "One Step Closer" to the rock stations shortly thereafter.[6] "I Love You" was added to 34 Radio & Records Contemporary stations,[7] but did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by Jason Bieler, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."One Step Closer" 3:51
2."Space Oddity"David Bowie5:22
3."Water" 4:58
4."Torture" 3:44
5."Fields of Rape" 4:44
6."I Love You" 3:38
7."Sgt. Steve" 2:10
8."My Heart" 3:48
9."On and On" 3:26
10."The Way" 4:56
11."Sentimental Girl" 2:35
12."Close to You" 3:35
13."When You Were Mine" 3:58
14."Reprise" 1:34
Japanese release and 2018 reissue bonus track
No.TitleLength
15."Not Enough" 

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ Schulman, Sandra (July 16, 1994). "Continental Drift". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 29. New York: BPI Communications. p. 17. ISSN 0006-2510. OCLC 4086332.
  2. ^ "Saigon Kick – Water (2018 Remaster with bonus track)". Themidlandsrocks.com. October 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Downing, Brian. Saigon Kick: Water at AllMusic. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Flick, Larry (October 2, 1993). "Single Reviews: Saigon Kick I Love You". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 40. New York: BPI Communications. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. OCLC 4086332.
  5. ^ "Radio & Records" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. September 17, 1993. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "Radio & Records" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. October 1, 1993. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  7. ^ "Radio & Records" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. October 8, 1993. Retrieved June 5, 2022.